Kgotla Labo Ntate, working alongside SAPS members from De Deur, Sharpeville and Barash, has reported a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to locate missing boys believed to have been taken to illegal initiation schools.
According to the group, three individuals known as Percy, Sethunya and Stolen were located at Bree Taxi Rank after they had been sought by police for some time. Information gathered during the operation allegedly led search teams to several illegal initiation schools where boys who had been missing for weeks were found.
Among those rescued was 14-year-old Karabo Marumo, who had been missing for several weeks. His recovery has brought relief to his family and the community, who had been searching for answers regarding his whereabouts.
The operation also led to the discovery of initiation schools known as New Canada and Crisis. According to Kgotla Labo Ntate, a total of seven illegal initiation schools have now been uncovered through the ongoing search campaign.
Dr Chief L. Mofokeng said the operation has so far resulted in the rescue of 57 boys.
“We remain committed to finding every child who has been taken without the knowledge or consent of their parents. Our priority is to reunite these children with their families and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” said Dr Mofokeng.
Kgotla Labo Ntate further alleged that it received limited assistance from Orange Farm SAPS during parts of the search operation. Orange Farm SAPS had not responded to these claims at the time of publication.
The search operation remains ongoing as community leaders and law enforcement continue efforts to locate other missing children and identify additional illegal initiation schools operating in and around Johannesburg
